2009 League of NH Craftsmen's Fair

Now that we are entering into the homestretch of the Fair, we checked in with a few of the craftspeople to get the “view from inside the tent.” This is the 7^th Fair for goldsmith Jim Papuga, who said the energy here is just excellent. “I do about 18 craft shows a year, and always looks forward to the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair.  “People who  come to this show are aware of what goes into making fine handcraft,” he said.

Across from Jim are potters Sue and Steve Russell. Last year they had a booth for half the Fair; this year, they are here for the entire 9 days. “We pay attention to how people react when they pick up one of our pieces – sometimes you feel like a detective,” said Steve, “we make pieces that we and hope that others feel the same way.”

Steve, Sue, and Jim all agreed that the Fair  gives them an opportunity to see what other craftsmen are doing and to also catch up and spend time with eachother. In fact, many craftspeople arrange to stay together during the Fair.  Potters Sue and Steve Russell are hosting a group of other potters that are participating in the Fair. “We’re really enjoying spending time together, and with all the talking it can be hard to get out the door,” said Sue.  The Russells enjoy being part of the craft community. “Participating in the Fair is a dream for us,” said Steve. “It is a combination of a Renaissance and crafts fair in a beautiful natural environment.”

As you may expect, Bev Wolf, President of the League of NH Craftsmen Board of Directors, is an ardent supporter of the League and its members, and enjoys collecting and using fine craft. She has passed along this appreciation for fine craft to her 23-year-old daughter Elizabeth. “Elizabeth was 7 days old and in a snugly during her first visit to the Fair,” says Bev. “She associates the Fair as a special place, where she could pick out a special gift. She likes collecting items that she can use, such as mugs. Now that she is out of college, she has started collecting affordable prints to make her apartment more like a home and less like a dorm.”

According to Bev, knowing about the person who made the piece and his/her techniques and inspiration is what makes collecting fine craft so special. “The Fair is a great place to meet the craftsmen and connect with them,” says Bev. “I enjoy seeing how their work changes and evolves. I have been a fan of Marcia Herson and have many of her pieces (Marcia is juried in polymer clay and creates mixed media art jewelry) and treasure a sculpture handcrafted by Eric O’Leary (a ceramic artist).” Bev also has a collection of all of the League’s annual ornaments.

Alice DeSouza, panelist for tomorrow's seminar: The Art of Collecting Fine Craft

Collecting fine craft is the topic of a seminar that will be held tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 7) at noon at the Fair.  Mary McLaughlin, an arts advocate, will be moderating a panel that includes craft collectors Alice DeSouza, Susie Grey, and Dr. James Mirazita.

By Alice LaPorte, designer of the Living With Craft Exhibition

It’s been a busy 6 months for all of us involved in the Living With Craft Exhibit. While the snow still flies, we receive over 200 proposed items from more than 100 League craftsmen. The members whose work has been accepted are challenged to create furniture and accessories that are to be viewed as the best the League has to offer. I have been busy preparing a color and floor plan that will show these 200 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items in the very best possible lifestyle setting.

Each year there are different and outstanding creations. Last year we had a pool table.  That caused quite a bit of excitement! One of the highlights this year is a metal bed crafted to look like an evening in the forest. It creates an enchanting bedroom. As always, the exhibit is filled with a wide range of design themes and styles. We have Arts & Crafts reclining chairs, a country casual dining room set up for breakfast and a contemporary dining room set for a formal meal including dinner plates, flatware, and even a salt and pepper set. A fun surprise is a set-up for cocktails with swizzle sticks in place.

Stop up at the second floor of the Spruce Lodge. You may come away with some inspiration for decorating and a handcrafted treasure that will fit perfectly into your home.

While visiting the Exhibit be sure to make your selection for the ‘Peoples Choice Award’. Speaking of awards take the time to check out the pieces that have been juried to be the “Best” of the best in each media.

Are you a fine craft enthusiast? Do you enjoy coming to events like the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair? Do you believe in supporting your “local” economy and community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider becoming a supporting member of the League of NH Craftsmen. Membership levels range from $30 to $500 and are used to support the League’s craft education programs. Supporting members receive free admission to Annual Craftsmen’s Fair, discounts for League classes and workshops, and discounts on fine craft purchases at the League’s Gallery 205 and 7 retail galleries throughout the state, among many other benefits.

At the Fair, supporting members get 10% off any purchase at Living With Craft, CraftWear and Sculpture Garden.

If you plan to attend the Fair and you haven’t become a supporting member, this is a good time to do it! You will receive free admission to the Fair and your name will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a piece of fine craft made by a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen.

Your support will help the League and its talented juried members continue to uphold New Hampshire’s legacy of fine craftsmanship.

(L) Sussy Rose-Shields and Janett Gilman, managers of The Shop at the Fair

Today, we spoke with Sussy Rose-Shields, a League member and jeweler, who manages The Shop at the Fair tent. She explained that The Shop at the Fair is a cooperative of juried League members who want to display their wares at the Fair but prefer not to have a booth. “The shop has fine craft pieces from newly juried artists;  booth holders who want to show new or different work than in their booths; and craftspeople who have a limited supply of their work to sell This year will be the final showing for one craftsperson that is retiring after doing The Shop at the Fair for 20 years,” said Sussy.”The Shop features fine craft made by 55 League members. The types of media include: baskets, rugs, puzzles, fiber which includes aprons & potholders, silk kimonos, hand painted tablecloths; photography, prints, hand built clay work, wood, pottery, jewelry of metal, glass and polymer clay. Children love the hand puppets and teddy bears, and even pets can look forward to receiving a special toy from our tent.”

“As juried craftsmen, our quality is  expected be the best, and as a cooperative, we work together to make the tent look great. The staff, made up of juried members and volunteers who serve as salespeople/ cashiers, are responsible for setting up the Shop. One benefit to participating at TSAF is getting to meet other craftspeople in the League, something often hard to do because we all live in various areas,” said Sussy.

While visiting the Fair, stop in and see the variety of fine craft at The Shop at the Fair.

It is soooo easy to get distracted at the Fair. With 26 types of craft on display, there is bound to be something to catch your eye. As you fix your gaze on one of these beautiful pieces, you can talk to the craftsperson who made it and get the “story” behind the piece.  That’s one of the best features of the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair — you can see and learn how fine craft is made.

Ruth Boland giving a demonstration

Each day, there are about 15 demonstrations given by juried members of the League. Ruth Boland is one of them. Ruth’s craft is basketry, and for all 9 days of the Fair, she demonstrates her basketmaking technique. She believes these demonstrations enhance the Fair experience. “People are involved in the demonstration — they are  are seeing something different or something they have never seen before,” she said. “One of my demonstrations involves cutting and weaving watercolor paper and I use a pasta machine to cut the paper. People are fascinated by that. And kids — they ask the best questions.  It is fun for me, because I like to talk with people and enjoy sharing what I do with them.”

Stop by and see Ruth, as well as the other juried members who are working away in the demonstration tents.  You can find a schedule of demonstrations, workshops, and all activities here.

The sun is shining here at the Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair. The craftspeople are making final preparations and the gates will be open soon. The spirit of the maker is in full display here at the Fair, and was celebrated during the Preview Party. The Preview Party is the official kick-off to the Fair, providing League supporters and friends a sneak peek of the fine craft on display (and available for purchase) in Living With Craft, CraftWear, the Sculpture Garden, and The Shop at the Fair.  As always, the craft exhibitions are amazing. The highlight of the Preview Party is the awards presentation with over craftspeople recognized for their skills and artistry. Here is a recap of the award winners (and the  generous folks who sponsored the awards):

Living with Craft Awards

Best in Show (Sponsored by Corzilius, Matuszewski and Krause Architects): Donald Briere – Large, Segmented Floor Vase

Best in Traditional Design (Sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank): Eric Taylor, “Burgundy Arch” Basket

Best in Wood (Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers): Terry Moore, Console Table

E.L. Grodin Best Collaborative (Sponsored by Edith L. Grodin): Victoria Elbroch and Maureen Mills, Landscape Series  Vase

Joe Tucker Metal Award (Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens): Paulette Werger, Dandelion Serving Set

Best in Two-Dimensional Design (Sponsored by Loring Stevens): Deborah Falls, Bee Balm

Stevens Glass Award (Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens): Hans Schepker, Lampscape 1, “Up Cubes”

Best in Ceramics – Functional (Sponsored by New Hampshire Potters Guild): Andy Hampton, Porcelain Vase

Best in Ceramics -Decorative (Sponsored by New Hampshire Potters Guild): Boyan Moskov, Disk Wall Hanging

Best in Weaving Award (Sponsored by New Hampshire Weavers Guild): Erica Pfister, Krokbragd Rug

Best in Fiber Award (Sponsored by Jim and Sue King – Skyeview Alpacas): Mary Jane Peabody, “Seed Pods” Proddy Rug

Gorst Print Award (Sponsored by Anonymous): Catherine Green,“Sylvan Dancer”

Best in Baskets Award (Sponsored by Polly Allen): Eric  Taylor, Burgundy Arch basket

Sculpture Garden Awards

Best in Show (Sponsored by Vahan and Anne Sarkisian): Nathan Macomber, Untitled

CraftWear Awards

Best in Show (Sponsored by Schiffman, Paul & Dattilio, PC): Paulette Werger, Drawing#2/Autumn Vine

Best in Jewelry (Sponsored by Wild Orchard Guest Farm at Cordwainer Shop): Nancy Nobis, The Power of One

Best in Metal Jewelry (Sponsored by Eleanor “Tin” Bacon): Paulette Werger, Bubble Neckpiece

Best in Jewelry with Stone (Sponsored by Mark Knipe Goldsmiths): Sandra McCaw, Falling Leaves Earrings

Best in Clothing (Sponsored by the League of NH Craftsmen Retail Galleries): Marcia Hammond, A New Fold (skirt and top set)

Creative Sewing Award (Sponsored by Martin’s House of Cloth): Camille B. Gibson, Soft Sculpture Goldfish

Best in Fine Sewing (Sponsored by Portsmouth Fabrics): Beth Lux, Vylah

Art for All Award (Sponsored by Governor’s Commission on Disability): Janett Gilman, Sassy Salamanders on Parade

Best in Mixed Media – Jewelry (Sponsored by Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.): Kathleen Dustin, Summer Neckpiece

Best in Accessories (Sponsored by Wild Orchard Guest Farm at Cordwainer Shop): Nancy Horrall, Flowering Shawl

Dorr Mill Award (Sponsored by Dorr Mill Store): Marcia Hammond, The Black and White of It

Best Use of Color in Weaving (Sponsored by The Fiber Studio): Patricia Palson, Circle of Love

Weaving with Wool Award (Sponsored by Harrisville Designs): Patricia Palson, Greenpiece

The Elegant Ewe Best in Knitting (Sponsored by The Elegant Ewe): Debra Bury, Lumiere de Nuit

N.H. Institute of Art Award (Sponsored by The N.H. Institute of Art): Thomas McGurrin, Bamboo Pendant

Congratulations to all of the winners and everyone who piece is on display at the Fair!

The 2009 Annual Craftmen’s Fair is now upon us!  With a fantastic list of craftspeople, exhibitions, and demonstrations, we expect the best fair ever!